Wellington's week runs on two wheels, four legs and one big lawn. The largest organized bike ride in the western communities leaves Village Hall on Sunday, the Sheriff's Office takes over the amphitheater on Thursday, and the fall show jumping circuit keeps going at the Equestrian Village, free to watch. Here is the week of Saturday, Oct. 17, to Friday, Oct. 23.

Sunday: The Western Ride

The Western Ride starts at Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd., on Sunday, Oct. 18, with staggered start times beginning at 7 a.m. depending on the distance you choose, per the village calendar. Riders pick a 15-, 30- or 60-mile route, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office leads the way, and mechanics ride support. The village bills it as the largest organized ride in the western communities, and the money goes to Women in Distress and Donnah's Fund, which support domestic violence education, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Entry is $65 in advance and $75 on the day; online registration through BikeReg closes Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Food comes before and after, along with raffles. Why go: with a sheriff's escort and three distances, there is a route for someone trying a group ride for the first time and a real Sunday test for regular riders.

Saturday and Sunday: the fall circuit, free

The Fall Circuit II Horse Show wraps up this weekend at Wellington International's Equestrian Village on South Shore Boulevard, with jumping from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fall Circuit III opens there on Friday, Oct. 23, running through Oct. 25, according to Wellington International. General admission to the daytime shows is free. Why go: the winter festival brings the crowds and the parking lots in January; in October you can wander up to the rail with a coffee and watch good horses and riders without any of that.

Thursday: National Night Out at the amphitheater

The Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., hosts National Night Out with the Sheriff's Office on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., tied to National Crime Prevention Month, per the village calendar. It is free. Families can meet the deputies who patrol their neighborhoods, and the kids get bounce houses and an obstacle course. Why go: it is a free weeknight on the lawn with something for the kids, and putting faces to the patrol cars in your neighborhood is worth an evening.

The short version

Register for the ride by Saturday night and pick your distance. Spend an hour at the horse show this weekend or Friday while it is quiet and free. Bring the kids to the amphitheater Thursday night. Wellington's busy season is weeks away, and this is the version of the village most residents like best.